Ramo, Konopka Switch Places

(Norfolk releases) The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL affiliate of the Norfolk Admirals, have recalled goaltender Karri Ramo[6] from the Admirals on an emergency basis, it was announced today by Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton. The Lightning have also reassigned Admirals captain Zenon Konopka[7] to Norfolk.

Ramo, a 6-foot-2, 207-pound goaltender in his third professional season, has appeared in one game this season for the Lightning, as he relieved Olaf Kolzig[8] on November 23 against New Jersey and did not receive a decision after stopping 15 of 17 shots.

Ramo has appeared in 22 games for the Admirals this season posting a 6-11-4 record with a 3.71 goals-against average and a .885 save percentage. He ranks among the top five goaltenders in the American Hockey League in games played, minutes and shots faced.

The 22-year-old netminder appeared in six games with the Admirals last season, going 2-4-0 with a 3.33 goals-against average and .898 save percentage. In 73 career AHL games between Norfolk and the Springfield Falcons, he has posted a 23-39-5 record with a 3.33 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage. He represented the organization at the 2006-07 AHL All-Star Game and was named the top goaltender in the skills competition.

The native of Asikkala, Finland played in a career-high 22 games with the Lightning last season, posting a 7-11-3 record and a 3.03 goals-against average. He also set career-bests for wins, shots faced (632), saves (568), save percentage (.899), goals-against average and minutes played (1,268).

Ramo has played in 25 career NHL games, posting a 7-11-3 record with a .896 save percentage and a 3.07 goals-against average. He was selected by the Lightning in the sixth round, 191st overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Konopka to Norfolk

The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL affiliate of the Norfolk Admirals, have reassigned Admirals captain Zenon Konopka to Norfolk, it was announced today by Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton.

Konopka, a 6-foot-1, 213-pound center, appeared in three games with Tampa Bay after being recalled on December 10, posting 17 penalty minutes. He made his Lightning debut on December 10 in Buffalo.

Konopka has played in 27 games with the Admirals this season, recording seven goals and 21 points while serving as team captain. He is tied for third on the team in points and is fifth in goals. His three game-winning goals lead the team.

A native of Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, Konopka has played in 35 career NHL games with Tampa Bay, Columbus and Anaheim, scoring four goals and three assists with 100 penalty minutes. He recorded a career-best four goals and seven points with two power-play goals in 23 games with the Ducks in 2005-06.

Konopka has played in 307 career AHL games with Norfolk, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Utah, Syracuse, Cincinnati and Portland. He has netted 93 career goals and recorded 233 points. He also played in 44 career Calder Cup Playoff games, recording 17 goals and 45 points. Konopka has also played in 91 career games in the ECHL with Wheeling and Idaho, recording 28 goals and 98 points.

The 27-year-old played in 242 games with the Ottawa 67s of the Ontario Hockey League during his junior career. Konopka scored 28 goals and recorded 98 points with Ottawa. He also played in 51 career playoff games, recording 16 goals and 37 points.

Undrafted out of juniors, Konopka served as the captain for the AHL's Syracuse Crunch last season.